Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses also must be licensed. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $67,490 in May 2015. Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent by 2024. Growth will occur for a number of reasons, including an increased emphasis on preventive care; increasing rates of chronic health conditions, and demand for healthcare services from the baby-boom population. The BLS estimates 439,300 new jobs in this field by 2024.
